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Lot Essay
Pairs of covered vases in the Dutch floral style were fashionable in England and Holland following the Restoration of Charles II. They were often made en suite with tall cylindrical vases which together formed a garniture, imitating the fashion for Chinese porcelain garnitures. Often displayed on sideboards and shelves above fireplaces and doors, the vases were frequently gilt or parcel gilt. Many were made of thin gauge silver, allowing for high relief chased decoration, and were intended for display purposes only.
The market for such garnitures was by their very nature limited to some of the grandest families in England. They would often be produced for special commission and are frequently unmarked as in this case or with maker's mark only. Many were made by foreign trained silversmiths working in London such as Jacob Bodendick or by English silversmiths, such as Anthony Nelme and Thomas Jenkins who mastered the fashionable Dutch style.
A six-piece garniture marked by Jenkins was sold at Christie's, London, 1 July 1953, lots 133 - 135, which included similar putti and foliage on a pair of covered jars. Another Jenkins four-piece garniture was sold at Christie's, London, 26 November 1980, lot 117. A pair of vases marked by Bodendick was sold at Parke-Bernet, New York, 26 October 1971, lot 171.
CAPTION: The silver covered vases in the King James I bedroom at Knole, Kent, Country Life
The market for such garnitures was by their very nature limited to some of the grandest families in England. They would often be produced for special commission and are frequently unmarked as in this case or with maker's mark only. Many were made by foreign trained silversmiths working in London such as Jacob Bodendick or by English silversmiths, such as Anthony Nelme and Thomas Jenkins who mastered the fashionable Dutch style.
A six-piece garniture marked by Jenkins was sold at Christie's, London, 1 July 1953, lots 133 - 135, which included similar putti and foliage on a pair of covered jars. Another Jenkins four-piece garniture was sold at Christie's, London, 26 November 1980, lot 117. A pair of vases marked by Bodendick was sold at Parke-Bernet, New York, 26 October 1971, lot 171.
CAPTION: The silver covered vases in the King James I bedroom at Knole, Kent, Country Life